Stephen Hawking funeral: Lucy Hawking breaks down in tears as family say goodbye to father

STEPHEN HAWKING died earlier this month at the age of 76. Lucy Hawking struggled to hold back tears as she said goodbye to her late father today. The Hawking family were joined by friends and colleagues in Cambridge this afternoon to pay their respects in a private ceremony.

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The first wife of Stephen Hawking, Jane Hawking, and their three children were seen arriving at the funeral of the late professor today.

The late cosmologist was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in his 20s, and passed away on March 14.

Stephen’s three children, Robert, Lucy and Timothy Hawking, and his grandchildren will say goodbye to him today during a private service.

A statement from his children read: “On behalf of our whole family we want to express our huge gratitude to all the wonderful tributes to our father and to those who have sent us messages of condolence.

The funeral of Stephen Hawking

He was an integral and highly recognisable part of the university and the city.

Robert, Lucy and Timothy Hawking

"He was an integral and highly recognisable part of the university and the city.

"For this reason, we have decided to hold his funeral in the city that he loved so much and which loved him.

"Our father's life and work meant many things to many people, both religious and non-religious.

"So, the service will be both inclusive and traditional, reflecting the breadth and diversity of his life.

"We would like to thank Gonville and Caius College, the University of Cambridge and Trinity College, Cambridge for their assistance with our father's funeral service."

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Stephen Hawking funeral: Lucy Hawking joined her mother and two brothers for the service

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Stephen Hawking: The Hawking family gathered ahead of the private service

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Stephen Hawking funeral: Family and friends will gather for the private service in Cambridge today

Stephen and Jane divorced in 1995, but are said to have resumed a close relationship in recent years.

Later that year, the professor married one of his nurses Elaine Mason, whom he’d grown close to under the strain of the spotlight and the intrusion of medical staff, however the pair quietly divorced in 2006.

The Theory of Everything actor Eddie Redmayne, who portrayed the acclaimed cosmologist in the 2014 film, will give a reading during the private funeral service.